I just bought an M&P 9c. Like the title says, this is my first modern S&W. I have owned and carried a Model 39-2, 59, 915 and most recently a 3913. After 6 years of carrying the 3913, I am being forced to retire it in favor of the M&P.

I do have a few questions about my new toy... My father-in-law just bought an M&P 45 full size and in his owner's manual it says you MUST clean the weapon prior to use. My owner's manual says that I MAY clean the weapon, but it is not necessary to do so before using. I plan on shooting it for the first time tomorrow, so what should I do?

My next questions revolve around the magazines. Hopefully, they get easier to load as I use them, because loading that first round as well as the 12th is a real bear. The last issue is actually loading a full magazine into the pistol (with a closed slide). It seems like I have to use excessive force to fully seat the magazine or else there is almost 3/16ths of an inch gap between the magazine and the bottom of the pistol. Should I be loading the mags into the pistol with the slide locked back or will this too loosen up with time and use?

Thanks all in advance

Don

Good advice on the cleaning. I would just load 11 rounds until the spring settles in a bit. Remember it's great if it "goes to eleven".

Richard

The uplula suggestion by bobermo is a good one. However I have found that if you can get a new mag loaded to capacity, then let it sit fully loaded for a day or two or at least over night, the spring will loosen up enough to make it much easier to load afterward. You will also find that with some practice your technique for inserting bullets into the mag will improve. Still won't be as fast as using the uplula but it will make it a lot easier.

Regarding seating the magazine in the pistol, being sure to follow all safety rules, do not be afraid to give the base of the mag a good smack with the palm of your hand as you seat the mag.

Thanks all, I intend to rip several mags through it today...I can't wait

Congrats! I have a 9c in my $$ sights as well soon I hope

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M&P 2.0 9mm-Shield9-Shield45

Try this for an experiment: Lock the slide back and insert a full magazine. Easy, wasn't it? That is because there was nothing blocking the magazine at the top.

Now look at the position of the top round in the magazine in relation to the slide. The round is slightly above the bottom of the slide in order for the slide to strip the round out of the magazine and move it into the chamber on its trip forward.

Now, keep that in mind as you consider this: Remember how difficult it was to get that 12th (or last) round in the magazine? There wasn't much play left to get it in there, much less after it was seated in the magazine. When you are inserting that full magazine in the pistol with the slide closed the top round goes up to the bottom of the slide and wants to go that extra distance shown earlier but can't. Since there is almost no play left in the full magazine it requires more force to get it to seat completely.

Try to seat the magazine again but with only 11 (or one less than full capacity) rounds and see if it seats easier. Now there is some play left to allow that top round to depress slightly when the magazine "bottoms out" against the slide.

Always clean and lube a new gun before firing. I've had M&P's come from the factory PACKED with grease.

I find it shocking that you say you are retiring your 3913 for the 9c and you haven't even fired the 9c yet.

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Kirk / Spock 2020

Who is forcing that and why? They surely aren't friends of yours, are they?

Hang on to your 3913. You may be glad you did.

I'm in Law Enforcement and the Chief in his wisdom has decided that he wants to narrow down the list of approved off-duty firearms after two detectives started carrying S&W 1911s. Almost all Glocks are OK, but I'm a S&W guy and only a few Smiths are permitted: The 5913, the 6903, the 4553T, the M&P45c and the M&P9c.

I couldn't see trying to find a 5913 or a 6903 since they are practically identical to my 3913 except for magazine capacity. The 4553T is fairly rare and has a very small magazine capacity and I like the concealability of a 9mm, so my only real option was the 9c. It's almost exactly the same size as my 3913, but with a 12 round mag instead of an 8 round.

On a positive note, other than having to have a new custom holster made, I qualified with a perfect score using the 9c. I know I was pushing my luck using a brand-new pistol that hasn't been broken in to qualify with, but it shot flawlessly...not a single burp or hiccup. I have to say that I'm impressed with my new toy.

+1 for giving the bottom of mag a palm smack to seat it against a closed slide. You won't hurt anything.

I use this method because of how I store my HD gun in the bedside safe. It's kept in there slide closed, empty, with loaded mags next to it. Grab the gun, insert mag, give it a smack, rack 'n go

Say no more. I'm glad you are getting along well with your new 9C. That's all the matters.